Interlocutors hold talks with Maoist leader on collector's release

In a significant breakthrough in the case of abduction of the Malkangiri district collector, the two interlocutors, Prof G Hargopal and Dandapani Mohanty, today held talks with top Maoist leader Ganti Prasadam at the high security Jharpada jail in the city.

"We had discussions with Prasadam and the discussion was fruitful”, Hargopal told reporters after the talks.

"The main objective now is to defuse the situation. The impasse should not be allowed to continue for long", said Prasadam.

It may be noted that the Orissa government had brought Prasadam from Koraput jail to the Jharapada jail to expedite the negotiation process and secure early release of R Vineel Krishna, the Malkangiri district collector and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi who were abducted by the ultras on Thursday evening.Meanwhile, the state government officials consisting of U N Behera, principal secretary (home) and S N Tripathi, principal secretary (panchayati raj) held talks with the Maoist negotiators on the remaining six demands of the Red rebels.In a related development, another major Maoist leader Srinivas Sriramulu was granted bail in one of the cases today by the Malkangiri fast track court. However, Sriramulu is yet to be released as another case is pending against him.

On Monday, the state government conceded to eight out of 14 demands of the Maoists including suspension of combing operations by the state as well as Central forces till negotiations with the Maoist negotiators conclude and release of jailed Maoist activists.

Among other prominent demands of the Maoist include stopping the Polavaram project to which Behera replied that the matter was sub judice with the Supreme Court of India. Another demand pertains to land pattas for tribal land in the districts of Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Koraput and the state government claimed to be on the job to fulfill the demand.